Legislature Report
Vermont legislators returned to Montpelier last week to convene the second year of the 2009-2010 biennium. Lawmakers face several major issues this year including continued economic uncertainty accompanied by budget deficits, revenue declines, and increased demand for government services. Democratic legislative leaders and Republican Governor Jim Douglas are espousing similar strategies to resolve these issues and cooperative efforts are underway to reduce spending through government restructuring and efficiency but cooperation may erode over the course of the session once detailed strategies emerge from both parties.
Governor Douglas’ announcement last fall that he would not seek re-election ensures that election year politics will figure prominently in how the session plays out this year. Several sitting legislators are seeking to replace Douglas or are seeking higher office. Although all insist the election will not affect their actions, few believe that to be the case.
The future of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant and the impact of federal health care reform are among other significant issues legislators will grapple with this session. Legislative leaders of both chambers of the legislature have said there is unlikely to be any major healthcare initiatives this session due to pending federal reform which has not been finalized, but healthcare reform advocates -- especially single-payer advocates -- are pressing for bold initiatives in Vermont this year because it appears there will be no “public option” as part of federal reform.
A labor-affiliated organization, The Vermont Workers’ Center, held a State House news conference on Wednesday to publicize its “Healthcare is a Human Right” campaign and delivered approximately 4,000 postcards espousing universal access and a single-payer system to legislative leaders. House and Senate health care committees had agreed in December to hold a public hearing in January on single-payer bills S.88 and H.100 in response to organized pressure on lawmakers. The public hearing will be held this Tuesday evening at the State House and will entertain comments from the public on those bills and other ideas. Senator Doug Racine, chair of Senate Health and Welfare Committee and one of three sitting senators seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, has promised that his committee will take a thorough look at how Vermont would implement a single-payer system.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee and the House Health Care Committee are holding joint hearings for the first two weeks of the session to receive status updates on state and federal reform efforts. The Senate Committee will also consider a consultant’s recommendations on how to reduce $30 million in general fund expenditures. A substantial portion of the report’s recommendations involve the agency of human services. The Senate Committee also will consider mental health and substance abuse issues and recommendations contained in reports from the mental health oversight committee, health access oversight committee, and the corrections oversight committee. A dozen new bills have also been assigned to the committee for consideration.
The House Committee on Healthcare will pursue budget health-related recommendations early this session, consider responses to federal reform in February, and hear about new proposals as the session goes along.
House Health Care Committee chair Steve Maier authored a column that appeared recently in the state’s major newspapers. Maier listed the healthcare reform progress achieved already and suggested the next steps to be taken: study closely what happens with federal reform, get everyone covered, slow the increase in total healthcare spending, strengthen primary and preventive care, and turn the payment system upside down. He acknowledged that only the beginning steps have been taken and opined that it will take years to fully implement reforms.
New Bills of Interest:
S.174 Introduced by Senator Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans District
This bill proposes to authorize chiropractors to prescribe drugs within their scope of practice.
S.176 Introduced by Senators Kitchel and Bartlett of Caledonia and Lamoille Districts
This bill proposes to establish a statewide prescription drug formulary.
S. 177 Introduced by Senators Kitchel and Bartlett of Caledonia and Lamoille Districts
This bill proposes to consolidate the administration of health care into one agency.
S.181 Introduced by Senator Bartlett of Lamoille District
This bill proposes to contain the costs of hospital services through providing a global payment for inpatient services and strict budgets for hospitals.
S.189 Introduced by Senator White of Windham District
This bill proposes to require a parent or legal guardian, but not a minor, to consent to the examination of the minor under 14 years of age by a physician for the purpose of determining whether the minor is in need of involuntary mental health treatment, and it provides for a judicial review process.
S.246 Introduced by Senator Lyons of Chittenden District
This bill proposes to integrate proactive physical therapy into Vermont’s Blueprint for Health.
S.262 Introduced by Senators Carris and Campbell of Rutland and Windsor Districts
This bill proposes to require health insurers to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
If you are interested in this week’s Legislative Committee Meeting schedules, agendas, and a listing of other meetings and activities, please visit the Vermont Legislature’s website at http://www.leg.state.vt.us/schedule/schedule2.cfm
Committee meetings are normally updated daily, and are subject to change without notice. If you plan on attending, you may want to call ahead to verify the agenda.
For more information on legislative proposals, visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of